MOSCOW — The Russian Defense Ministry denied Saturday that three MiG-31 fighter jets violated Estonian airspace while flying to the Kaliningrad region, rejecting claims made by Estonia and NATO.

The ministry said the jets conducted a planned flight Friday from the Karelia region to a military airfield in Kaliningrad and that the mission “was carried out in strict compliance with international airspace regulations.”

“During the flight, Russian aircraft did not deviate from the designated route and did not violate Estonian airspace. The flight path remained more than three kilometers away from Vaindloo Island, over the neutral waters of the Baltic Sea,” the statement said.

Estonian authorities earlier reported that three Russian MiG-31s had crossed into its airspace near Vaindloo Island.

NATO also said the jets had entered Estonian territory and confirmed that allied aircraft were dispatched to intercept and escort them.

The incident comes amid heightened tensions between Moscow and the alliance, with NATO stepping up air patrols in the Baltic region as the war in Ukraine continues. — Agencies